Curtain constructions



July 14, 1959 M. KALDER I 2,894,575

CURTAIN CONSTRUCTIONS Filed March 21, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR MILTON KALDER ATTORNEY July 14, 1959 KALDER CURTAIN CONSTRUCTIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21 MILTON KALDER ATTORNEY United States Patent CURTAIN CONSTRUCTIONS Milton Kalder, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Application March 21, 1957, Serial No. 647,656

2 Claims. (Cl. 160-124) This invention relates to curtain constructions-and more particularly to curtains adjustable or variable both in length and width.

It is recognized that there is a great need for curtains that can be readily adjusted or varied in dimensions, so as to render them adaptable for various uses, as well as to reduce the need to make costly alterations or additions. It is within my contemplation to provide a curtain construction that can be adjusted in three ways: (1) by relatively large width variations, through the convenient addition or removal of separable panels, (2) by relatively small width variations, through extensible pinch-pleat sections, and (3) in length, by the releasable formation of bottom hems.'

Previous attempts have been made to fill the need for curtains and drapes that are composed of separable units, but these have resulted in constructions having certain inherent shortcomings. Among the expedients previously employed were several spaced catches at overlapping heading portions of two adjacent panelsthe component panels of such an arrangement being readily subject to separation by contact or by the action of a current of air blowing through the window. Attempts have been made to employ pin fasteners to prevent such a separation of adjacent panels, but these are unsightly when used in such locales, particularly because in the conventional arrangements substantial portions of such pins are visible. It is an objective of my invention to provide a curtain construction having none of the shortcomings hereinabove mentioned, and which enables two or more adjacent panels to be readily, yet detachably, secured to each other, without the means of attachment being visible in front of the curtain. And in this aspect of my invention it is my objective to provide a novel combination of curtain panels and tubular slidable fastening means of such construction that marginal portions of adjacent panels can readily be attached along the entire length thereof, to prevent the separation of the component panels, and at the same time provide a minimum of folding and warping, whereby the visible portions of the secured panel portions along their junctures are substantially fiat. And it is also my objective to provide a construction of this category which will provide a firm securement of adjacent panels, and which will enable the component panels of such construction to be separated into complete single relatively narrow units. The construction of my invention is such that the assembling of two or more panels can be effected conveniently and expeditiously by a person having no special mechanical skill.

Where prefabricated curtains are bought, it is a common occurrence to find that the width of the curtain is just either too great or too little for the width of the window to which it is to be attached. This frequently requires special alterations, such as the separation of pinch pleats, and resewing the separated parts, the addition of sections, etc. It is an object of my invention to eliminate this difliculty by providing a novel pinchpleat construction in which small width adjustments may be readily effected. In one aspect of my invention this consists of a novel yieldable pinch-pleat construction, and in another of an adjustable pinch-pleat fastener construction.

There is also a frequent need to make adjustments as to length of a curtain, either because of shrinkage due to washing, or because of the desire to adapt the curtain to different window lengths or to obtain different ornamental effects. My novel curtain construction enables adjustments in length to be effected with a minimum of effort, and without any visible indications of the adjusting means employed.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawing and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary rear view of an arrangement of separable curtain panels formed into a single unit in accordance with my invention, a fragment of the extreme left panel and securing means being shown in disassembled relation, portions being sectioned for clarity.

Figure 2 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top view of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of arrows 33, the dot dash lines representing the position of the pinch-pleat and heading sections in adjustably extended positions.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a tubular panel-connecting member in accordance with a preferred form of my invention.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary rear view of the bottom portion of the curtain construction, showing a folded-up hem in accordance with my invention.

Figure 7 is a section of Fig. 6 taken along line 7-7, the dot-dash lines showing the curtain panel in its extended position.

Figure 8 is a view like Fig. 7, but showing the bottom of the curtain panel held in a double-folded hem, for additional shortening, the dot-dash lines showing the curtain panel in its extended position.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary rear view of a modified form of adjustable pinch-pleat construction, shown in its inoperative position.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary rear view of the structure of Fig. 9, showing the pinch pleat in an operatively adjusted position.

Figure 11 is a section of Fig. 10 taken along line 11-11, the dot-dash lines showing the pinch-pleat section in another adjusted position.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, the curtain construction 15 comprises the separable panels 16, 17 and 18, panel 16 being shown detached from the main curtain assembly. Said panel portions contain the respective heading sections 19, 20 and 21. As illustrated, heading 20 contains the pinch-pleat sections 22, 23 and 24, each of said sections containing precreased fold lines which produce the three portions 25, 26 and 27 of each pleated section.

The upper or heading portions of said pinch-pleat sections are held together by connecting sheets or strips 23-these being, in this embodiment of my invention, made of laterally stretchable elastic material. Each connecting sheet 28 is secured by stitching 29 and 30 to the laterally separated rearmost portions of a pleated section, adjacent the two spaced opposing rearmost folds 31 and 32 which form space 33 therebetween. The elastic sheet 28 normally holds each of said pinch pleats so that its said folds 31 and 32 are in predetermined separated relation, as indicated in Fig. 3. However, when opposite pulls are applied in the direction of arrows AA, the elastic sheet 28 will yield laterally, enabling the distance between folds 3i and 32 to be increased, the cumulative increase being dependent upon the number of extensible pinch-pleat sections contained in the curtain. Such a width adjustment is of great value in the event the curtain is to be operatively attached to fixtures or supports positioned so as to require a somewhat wider curtain than the curtain in its unstretched form. If, for example, the fastening members 34 and 35 (schematically shown) are positioned as shown in Fig. 3, the curtain could only be attached to such fastening members if it were laterally stretched to the dot-dash position illustrated.

in the embodiment shown, the lateral edges of each curtain are provided with a form of piping, so as to present a substantially thickened or beaded edge. As illustrated, the lateral edge 36 of panel 16 is formed around an inner cord 37 to provide a thickened lateral edge; and similarly, the lateral edges 38, 39 and 40 of the respective panels 17 and 18 are provided with piping to present thickened edges. Proportioned for slidable interlocking engagement with adjacent thickened edges are the tubular fasteners 41 and 42. In the preferred form each of these tubular fasteners consists of a longitudinally disposed slitted portion 43 flanked by two inwardly extending longitudinal walls 44 and 45, providing a longitudinal indenture 46 communicating with the slit at 43. The interior 47 of each of said tubular memhers is proportioned to frictionally receive therein two adjacent beaded edges of the panels. For example, as is illustrated on the right-hand side of Figs. 1 and 2, the thickened edges 39 and it? of adjacent panels 17 and 18 are disposed within the interior 47 of the tube 42. Because said fastener tubings 4i and 42 are disposed at the rear of the curtain, they provide substantially straight and neat juncture lines 48a between the adjacent panels, as illustrated in Pig. 4.

The tubes 41 and 42 can readily he slipped over two abutting edge portions, such as 39 and 4t merely by slipping such tubes over the top of said two contiguous edge portions. It is preferred that the material of the tubing he of slightly yieldable plastic, so that the fabric of the curtains extending outwardly through slitted portion 43 will be firmly engaged by the walls 44 and 45, to prevent their separation and at the same time to frictionally enable said tubes to be retained in position.

At the lower portion of each panel, and extending h0ri zontally therealong, is a strip of tape 48 secured in place by stitching at the top of the tape, leaving a flap therebelow free and unattached from the body of the curtain material. Said tape strips 43 on each of the panels are in spaced relation to the bottom edges of the respective panels. if it is desired to shorten a panel, the bottom section 51 (see Figs. 6 and 7) is folded rearwardly and upwardly, and then secured by fastener pins 52 to the tape 48. it is apparent that the curtain has been shortened a considerable amount, as indicated in the drawings. Should it be desired to shorten it still more, the said lower portion 51 could be double folded, as shown in Pig. 8, and then secured by said pin fasteners -or other suitable fastenersas indicated. As shown in fig. 8, the curtain is thus made considerably shorter than by the single-fold construction of Fig. 7.

It is to be noted that since the free flap portion of tape 48, which serves as a support or anchorage for the folded-up bottom hem of the curtain, is separable from the body of the curtain, the pins or other securing means attaching the folded-up portion of the curtain to the tape are not visible from the front thereof. Accordingly, ready adjustments can be made, to provide different lengths, without any sewing or special alterations; and the completed job presents a neat appearance.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, another embodiment of adjustable pleated sections is illustrated. instead of an elastic member such as 23 used to connect the opposing rearmost folds of the pleated section, a sheet member with spaced snap fasteners is employed. Specifically, the pinch-pleat section 53 is of the general form hereinabove described, having rearmost spaced folds 54 and 55 adapted to be maintained in selected spaced relation. The adjusting connecting sheet 56 is attached to the curtain 57 by stitching 58, the free end carrying thereon rows of male snap-fastener elements 59, 60 and 61. Each of these is adapted for coactive engagement with the row of female snap-fastener elements 62, attached to the rear of the curtain 57. It is thus apparent that if row 59 of snap fasteners were secured to the complementary snap fasteners 62, the rearmost folded portions 54 and 55 would be closest together; and if the other rows 60 and 61 of male snapfastener elements were to be brought into engagement with the row of elements 62, the distance between folds 54 and 55 would be correspondingly lengthened. This would enable the curtain to be adjusted as to width substantially in the manner described with reference to the elastic adjusting sheet 28.

It is thus apparent that my invention enables ready adjustments to be made as to both width and length of curtains, with a minimum of effort, and without in the slightest adversely affecting the appearance of the curtain. And moreover, it is possible with my invention to make width adjustments by adding or removing panels, in a manner that can be effected by any person having ordinary skills.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a laterally adjustable curtain construction, two laterally adjacent curtain panels, frictional fastening means detachably securing said panels together, a laterally extensible pinch-pleat section on at least one of said panels, and laterally adjustable connecting means joining laterally spaced portions of the panel flanking said pinch-pleat section, the laterally adjacent portions of said panels each comprising longitudinal beaded edges, said frictional fastening means comprising a tubular member with a slitted portion extending longitudinally therealong, said tubular member being proportioned for slidably receiving therein said two laterally adjacent beaded edges, said slitted portion being proportioned to receive therethrough the two adjacent panels of said respective beaded edges.

2. In an adjustable curtain construction, two laterally adjacent curtain panels, the adjacent portions of said panels having vertical longitudinal beaded edges, and a tubular fastening member detachably securing said panels together, said tubular member having a vertical longitudinally disposed slitted portion flanked by two inwardly and rearwardly extending longitudinal walls, said walls converging inwardly towards each other, whereby a longitudinal indenture with angularly disposed walls is provided along said member, said tubular member being internally proportioned to slidably receive therein and fric- 5 tionally engage said two laterally adjacent beaded edges on opposite sides of said inwardly extending walls, said slitted portion being proportioned to receive therethrough the two adjacent panels of said respective beaded edges, the innermost edges of said inwardly extending angularly disposed walls being in engagement with said beaded edges.

References Cited in the file of this patent 6 Richter June 21, 1932 Arden Apr. 4, 1939 Hess Oct. 24, 1950 Thomas et a1. Oct. 31, 1950 Rubman May 29, 1951 Dubinsky Sept. 2, 1952 Wittrup Nov. 27, 1956 Hess Jan. 29, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 12, 1955 

